Terrorist hunting enters 11th day in Kulgam
Operation to neutralise terrorists enters second day in Kishtwar
Srinagar/Jammu: The anti-terror operation in Kulgam entered its 11th day on Monday as security forces doubled down to flush out the terrorists hiding in the natural caves and dense foliage of the forest.
“The operation is still in progress. The security forces are trying to draw out the terrorists who are apparently hiding in cave-like structures,” an official said.
The terrorists are highly trained in jungle warfare and are taking advantage of dense foliage to evade detection by drones.
Two army soldiers have been killed, while nine others have been injured since the encounter began on August 1 in the Akhal forest area of the district.
Two terrorists have also been killed in the encounter. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain terrorists have not been ascertained so far.
This is the longest anti-terror operation in the Kashmir valley in recent years.
Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat and the army’s Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma are monitoring the operation round-the-clock, officials said.
Security forces have pressed drones and helicopters into service to track the terrorists.
Meanwhile, intermittent firing and deafening sounds of explosions rattled a forested area in Kishtwar district as the operation to neutralise terrorists entered the second day on Monday, officials said.
The terrorists are believed to be hiding inside a cave on a cliff at Bhagna forest in Dool area, some 25 km from Kishtwar town, the officials said.
The search operation in the forest area started early Sunday following intelligence input about the presence of two most wanted Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists — Riyaz Ahmad and Mudassar Hazari — who are active in the district for the past eight years and carrying a reward of Rs 10 Lakh each.
The hiding terrorists opened fire on the search parties at 6.30 am on Sunday and fled deep into the forest in the face of retaliation, the officials said, adding intermittent exchange of fire was reported two more times during the day.
The cordon and search operation was strengthened with the joining of more reinforcements from the army, including para commandos, police and CRPF, and deployment of drones to ensure that the terrorists are not able to escape, the officials said.
They said the firing from the terrorists was last reported near the cave, which is said to be very deep, Sunday evening with security forces suspecting that they had managed to take shelter inside.
Several powerful blasts and intermittent gunfire were reported overnight, the officials said, adding the search operation is on and further details are awaited.
